Two Houston men convicted in Atascocita bank robbery

Community Reports

Published 3:08 am, Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Photo: MELECIO FRANCO

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Investigators collect evidence and process the scene of a bank robbery at the Regions Bank in Atascocita on April 26. Three armed men robbed the bank and as they were exiting encountered two off-duty Houston Police Department officers. One of the suspects was shot and killed. The other two suspects were captured in the parking lot. Two of the suspects recently plead guilty to aggravated bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. less

Investigators collect evidence and process the scene of a bank robbery at the Regions Bank in Atascocita on April 26. Three armed men robbed the bank and as they were exiting encountered two off-duty Houston ... more

Photo: MELECIO FRANCO

Two Houston men convicted in Atascocita bank robbery

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Justin Devon Hayes, 23, and Demontray Ward, 21, both of Houston, have entered guilty pleas to aggravated bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

On April 26, 2013, Hayes, Ward and a third, now deceased man, robbed the Regions Bank at 7044 East FM 1960 in Atascocita.

Ward was armed with a shotgun, while the other two had pistols. All of the weapons were loaded. The defendants demanded money, threatened the tellers and became agitated when they realized the vault was on a 10-minute timer.

A Houston police officer entered the bank, but was disarmed by Ward. Outside, another officer witnessed the three men leave the bank and enter an SUV. He attempted to confront them, but the vehicle drove towards him. Seeing a muzzle of a shotgun pointed at him, the officer fired and the driver was shot and killed. Ward and Hayes were then taken into custody.

U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore, who accepted the guilty pleas, has set sentencing for Spring 2014, at which time they face up to 25 years for the bank robbery as well as a consecutive seven years for the firearms charge.

Both men will remain in custody pending their respective hearings.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Bank Robbery Task Force, which is comprised of personnel from the FBI, Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jennie Basile is prosecuting the case.